Biology subjects

Babu, R.

Publications and source records attributed to Babu, R..

5 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2023

Beyond Traditional Methods: Innovative Integration of LISS IV and Sentinel 2A Imagery for Unparalleled Insight into Himalayan Ibex Habitat Suitability

Despite advancements in remote sensing, satellite imagery is underutilized in conservation research. Multispectral data from various sensors have great potential for mapping landscapes, but distinct spectral and spatial resolution capabilities are crucial for accurately classifying wildlife habitats. Our study aimed to develop a technique for precisely discerning habitat categories for the Himalayan Ibex (Capra sibirica) using different satellite imagery. To address both spectral and spatial challenges, we utilized LISS IV and Sentinel 2A data and integrated the LISS IV data with Sentinel 2A data along with their corresponding geometric information. Employing multiple supervised classification algorithms, we found the Random Forest (RF) algorithm to outperform others. The integrated (LISS IV-Sentinel 2A) classified image achieved the highest accuracy, with an overall accuracy of 86.17% and a Kappa coefficient of 0.84. To map the suitable habitat of the Ibex, we conducted ensemble modeling using the Land Cover Land Use (LCLU) of all three image types (LISS IV, Sentinel 2A, Integrated) and other predictors such as topographical, soil type, vegetation, and water radiometric indices. The integrated model provided the most accurate prediction of suitable habitat for the Ibex, surpassing the other two LCLU classes derived from individual images. The Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI) and elevation were identified as crucial factors in identifying suitable habitats These findings hold valuable implications for the development of effective conservation strategies, as accurate classification schemes enable the identification of vital landscape elements. By precisely classifying LULC satellite images and identifying crucial habitats for the Ibex, this pilot study provides a new and valuable strategy for conservation planning. It enhances our ability to preserve and protect the habitat of wildlife species in the mountain ecosystem of the Himalayas.

ecology↗

bioRxiv2023

5'-NADylation of RNA is well-tolerated by bacterial cell

Recently discovered ability of various RNA polymerases (RNAPs) of bacteria and eukaryotes to initiate RNA synthesis with cofactors such as NAD+/NADH (nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide). This phenomenon was quickly dubbed "non-canonical capping" as the extra 5 moieties of RNA resemble eukaryotic m7G cap superficially. NAD must outcompete abundant ATP, to serve as initiating nucleotide. It is still unclear which physiological conditions permit significant RNA NADylation and to what degree NADylation serves typical functions of a canonical cap in bacteria. Here we found that the extent of NADyation depends primarily on fidelity of transcription initiation -NAD concentration, specific contacts of RNAP active site with NAD/ATP alternative substrates, and genomic DNA supercoiling. It is much less affected by posttranscriptional processes such as de-capping, processing by main 5-dependent ribonucleases RNaseE and oligoribonuclease. 5-NAD inhibits neither translation of a leaderless 5-NAD-RNA nor a physiological base-pairing of small regulatory NADylated RNA with its antisense target RNA. Translation exposes 5-NAD for de-capping by NudC enzyme.

molecular biology↗

bioRxiv2023

Genomic perspectives of SARS CoV-2 in liver disease patients with its clinical correlation: A single centre retrospective study

BackgroundSevere Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS CoV-2), is a causative agent of current global pandemic of Coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). Due to propagated outbreak and global vaccination drive an immense immunological selection pressure has been exerted on SARS CoV-2 leading to evolution of new variants. This study was performed to compare the mutational and clinical profile of liver disease patients infected with different variants of SARS CoV-2. MethodologyThis was a single-centre, retrospective, cohort study in which clinicogenomic analysis of liver disease (LD) patients infected with SARS CoV-2 was performed. Complete demographic and clinical details were retrieved from Hospital Information System (HIS). QC-threshold passed FASTA files containing sequences from COVID-19 patients (n=174) were compared with a reference genome of SARS-CoV-2 isolate named Wuhan-Hu-1 (NCBI Reference Sequence: NC_045512.2) for mutational analysis. ResultsOut of 232 finally analysed patients 137 (59.1%) were LD-CoV (+) and 95 (40.9%) were LD-CoV(-). LD patients with comorbidities were affected more with COVID-19 (p=0.002). On comparing the outcome in the terms of mortality, LD-CoV (+) had 2.29 times (OR 2.29, CI 95%, 1.25-4.29) higher of odds of succumbing to COVID-19 (p=0.006). Multivariate regression analysis revealed, abdominal distention (p=0.05), severe COVID-19 pneumonia (p=0.046) and the change in serum bilirubin levels (p=0.005) as well as Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels (p=0.003) to have an association with adverse outcome in LD patients with COVID-19. In Delta (22%) and Omicron (48%) groups, Spike gene harboured maximum mutations. On comparing the mutations between LD-CoV(+/D) and LD-CoV(+/O) a total of nine genes had more mutations in LD-CoV(+/O) whereas three genes had more mutations in LD-CoV(+/D). ConclusionWe concluded that LD patients are more susceptible to COVID-19 as compared to a healthy adult with associated adverse clinical outcomes in terms of mortality and morbidity. Therefore this special group should be given priority while devising and introducing new vaccination and vaccination policies. The infection with different variants did not result in different outcome in our group of patients.

microbiology↗

bioRxiv2022

Retention of visuo-proprioceptive recalibration in estimating hand position

The brain estimates hand position using visual and proprioceptive cues, which are combined to give an integrated multisensory estimate. Spatial mismatches between cues elicit recalibration, a compensatory process where each unimodal estimate is shifted closer to the other. It is unclear how well visuo-proprioceptive recalibration is retained after mismatch exposure. Here we asked whether direct vision and/or active movement of the hand can undo visuo-proprioceptive recalibration, and whether recalibration is still evident 24 hours later. 75 participants performed two blocks of visual, proprioceptive, and combination trials, with no feedback or direct vision of the hand. In Block 1, a 70 mm visuo-proprioceptive mismatch was gradually imposed, and recalibration assessed. Block 2 tested retention. Between blocks, Groups 1-4 rested or made active movements with their directly visible or unseen hand for several minutes. Group 5 had a 24-hour gap between blocks. All five groups recalibrated both vision and proprioception in Block 1, and Groups 1-4 retained most of this recalibration in Block 2. Interestingly, Group 5 showed an offline increase in proprioceptive recalibration, but retained little visual recalibration. Our results suggested that visuo-proprioceptive recalibration is robustly retained in the short-term. In the longer term, contextual factors may affect retention.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2021

Bacterial supergroup specific "Cost" of Wolbachia infections in Nasonia vitripennis

The maternally-inherited endosymbiont, Wolbachia, is known to alter the reproductive biology of its arthropod hosts for its benefit and can induce both positive and negative fitness effects in many hosts. Here we describe the effects of the maintenance of two distinct Wolbachia infections, one each from supergroups A and B, on the parasitoid host Nasonia vitripennis. We compare the effect of Wolbachia infections on various traits between the uninfected, single A infected, single B infected, and the double infected strains with their cured versions. Contrary to the previous reports, our results suggest that there is a significant cost associated with the maintenance of Wolbachia infections where traits like family size, fecundity, longevity, and rates of male copulation are compromised in Wolbachia infected strains. The double infected and supergroup B infection strains show higher Wolbachia titer than supergroup A. The double infected Wolbachia strain has the most detrimental impact on the host as compared to single infections. Moreover, there is a supergroup-specific negative impact on these wasps as the supergroup B infections elicit the most pronounced negative effects. These findings raise important questions on the mechanism of survival and maintenance of these reproductive parasites in arthropod hosts.

evolutionary biology↗